Fiber-containing mats for lead acid batteries are described. The mats may include a plurality of fibers, a binder holding the plurality of fibers together, and one or more additives incorporated into the mat, where the additives may include one or more compounds selected from benzyl benzoate and a glycol ester. Additional fiber-containing mats include a plurality of woven or non-woven fibers and the one or more additives. The fiber-containing mats having the one or more additives may be used in lead-acid batteries that include a positive and negative electrode, a separator, and one or more pasting mats.